In recent years, ceramic stovetops have become popular with many homeowners who desire a sleek, modern appearance to their kitchens. While these appliances have a streamlined look and feel, sometimes their maintenance is challenging. Spills that turn into burned residue present one of the biggest obstacles when cleaning ceramic stovetops. However, stovetop spills do not need to be worrisome. There are many simple ways to clean ceramic stovetops that involve a few easy-to-find items and a little elbow grease. The final outcome is a stovetop that works as good as it looks for years of cooking pleasure.

Turn off the stovetop burners.

Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil onto the burned pan residue to loosen the substance from the stovetop. Olive oil has lubricating properties which makes it a perfect agent to clean grease and residue. Let the olive oil sit on the burners for several minutes to allow maximum absorption to help loosen the burned-on areas thoroughly.

Scrape the burned pan residue with a stainless steel spoon. Work in an upward and downward motion. Press lightly with the utensil to reduce the chance of cutting into the ceramic. Wipe away the burned particles, using a soapy sponge. Rinse the stovetop with a clean sponge until a majority of the residue is gone.

Make a cleaning paste of baking soda and warm water until it resembles the consistency of toothpaste. Apply the paste to the burned pan residue on the stovetop. Let it sit for approximately 10 minutes. Wipe off the any remnants of burned residue, using a damp cloth.

Clean the ceramic stovetop with warm, sudsy water. Wipe the burners with dishwashing soap and lukewarm water to remove any leftover baking soda solution. Work in a circular motion. Wipe the stovetop burners with a soft cloth to give the surface a shiny, polished, residue-free look.

Things You Will Need

Olive oil

Stainless steel spoon

Dishwashing liquid

Sponge

Baking soda

Cloth

Tip

Add lemon juice to the baking soda and water mixture to give the solution extra cleaning power for heavy, burned-on pan residue.

While it may seem beneficial to have the burners be a little warm to hasten the cleaning process, it is actually more appropriate for them to be completely cool. Cool burners provide the best temperature for cleaning ceramic surfaces for optimal final results.

Warning

Never use abrasive cleansers or scrubbers on the ceramic as they often permanently damage the surface.

About the Author

Based in upstate New York, Amy Mosher has been writing interior design and lifestyle articles since 2005. She is a prolific professional blogger, designer, artist and writer for various websites. She holds a bachelor's degree from Mansfield University and is a graduate of the Sheffield School of Interior Design.